Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

Author:Simon Sinek
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joosr Ltd

Fight abstraction by encouraging social interaction in the workplace

One of the biggest issues leaders face today is abstraction: they see the numbers, but don’t connect them with the people they represent. Technology has progressed to the point that we often don’t have to physically interact with colleagues or managers, and many leaders are sequestered in their office away from their team. If you’re in charge, you can fight this kind of abstraction using the following methods:

Keep groups of people at a manageable number. Anthropological research has shown that as human beings we function best in smaller groups. Our ancestors used to live in tribes of around 100 to 150 people—larger units weren’t as connected and didn’t cooperate as well. Try to keep departments or project teams within this range to maintain strong bonds and promote camaraderie among workers.

Bring people together face to face. Technology today makes it possible to go through a whole workday without directly interacting with anybody, and useful tools like email and instant messaging have the disadvantage of removing any sense of community, which can leave people feeling isolated. You can avoid this by bringing employees together in person. Hold weekly meetings, organize staff activities, think about developing an open office, and ensure that there are communal break rooms, to encourage social interaction and improve bonds between staff members.

Get to know your staff. To lead effectively, you should get to know your employees on a personal level. Spend time with different departments, and chat with team members about their family, friends, or hobbies. When you recognize employees as individuals, they will be motivated to work harder for you because they will feel valued, and you will work harder for them because they become real to you.

Offer employees your time, as well as money. All the bonuses and raises in the world will never encourage staff more than a leader who invests personally in their employees. If you want to motivate team members in a meaningful way, you need to give them your time and attention. Meet with them directly and listen to what they have to say. Don’t respond solely via email, or have a secretary answer all your calls. Give the staff your full consideration and the benefit of your direction. When you show them that you really listen and want to offer them your help, they will care about producing results for you.

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